NATURE'S CRAFTSMEN 



my/ and that this is true of the males is almost certain. 

 To them it is, or seems to be, the heydey of life; yet 

 one sex is on the verge of a laborious career and life 

 imprisonment, the other of his extinction. 



A warm dry season seems to be required for a mar- 

 riage flight or swarming of ants. The period varies with 

 the latitude and the species. Enough time must be 

 allowed for a goodly number of the sexed forms to 

 mature. As these seem to come on later than the work- 

 ers until the community is established, the season must 

 be well advanced ere the first flight occurs. Some 

 species will begin to cast off their dependants in the 

 latter part of June. Late August sends out great num- 

 bers; and September and early October are favorite 

 months. 



The workers know the proper time for leaving the 

 nest, and in part, at least, determine it by exciting the 

 male and female adolescents to depart. They certainly 

 make preparations for the exit, opening the formicary 

 gates, urging their wards to the surface, and nagging 

 them to take flight. Thus urged, they mount the 

 mound, if there be one, or climb up the surrounding 

 foliage, to which points the workers pursue them with 

 their expulsive affection. Some even offer them nour- 

 ishment for the last time, a sort of stirrup-cup, ere they 

 set forth upon their aerial journey. 



The usual bustle that pervades the community shows 

 that it is in high holiday, and that there is a general 

 consciousness that a rare event is at hand. The workers 

 fairly throb with self-importance, their pent-up energy 



' A few instances have been cited of tlie virgin queens taking 

 some part in the communal industries; but the rule is as here 

 given. 



18 



